Binding construction and method



Nov. 15, 1938. w. GRUMBACHER 2,136,878

BINDING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD Filed March 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

Walter firwmbacfim;

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 15, 1938. w. GRUMBACHER 2,136,878

BINDING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD Filed March 1. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 15, 1938 BINDING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD Walter Grumbacher, New York, N. Y., assignor to. Spiral Binding 00. Inc., New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application March 1, 1935; Serial No. 8,795

15 Claims.

This invention relates to the binding of stacks of sheeted material, and in particular to a binding in which a continuous binding element is used, and in one of its aspects to a binding in which a continuous spiral element is used. Coordinately therewith it relates to the method for utilizing such continuous spiral elements.

One of the types of binding for stacks of sheeted material comprisesa stack having perforations applied along one edge of the stack, and a continuous helical or spiral wire is threaded through the perforations. Such a binding construction, while it has many advantages, also has disadvantages in that the sheets,-as they turn around the spiral, when the stack is opened, move laterally at the same time, because of the pitch of the spiral, and, in addition, the contact between the coils of the spiral and the walls of the perforations is apt, because of the pitch of the spiral coils, to result in binding and the distortion of the spiral which causes it either to twist or untwist.

It has been proposed to eliminate the first of these disadvantages by deforming the coils of 25 the spiral into ring-like members having no pitch and using other portions of thedeformed spiral to connect these ring-likemembers. While this serves to overcome the objectionable feature of lateral movement it still does not prevent dis- 3 tortion of the binding member, because there is still a certain amount of binding action between the coils of the binding element and the walls of the perforations. A

It is among the objects of my invention to pre- 35 vent the distortion and binding incident to the use of the ordinary spiral binding element, and also to utilize the spirally coiled binding element in the formation of a continuous binding element that will have no pitch and will be free from 40, distortion.

For the attainment of these objects and such other objects as will hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have illustrated several embodiments of my invention in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of another embodiment of my invention utilizing a connecting element similar to the one shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the embodiment shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are an end elevation and a plan View respectively of one stage in the manufacture of the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 6'is an end elevation intended to illustrate another stage in the formation of the construction of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure '7 is an end elevation illustrating a further stage in the manufacture of the construction of Figures 2 and 3; I

Figure 8 is an end elevation of another form of my invention, resembling that shown in Figures 2 and 3; w

Figure 9 is a further modification of my invention in many Ways similar to the showings of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 11 illustrates still another embodiment of my invention;.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a further embodiment of my invention, Figure 12 showing parts thereof before assembly, and Figure 13 being' the assembled construction; and

Figures 14, 15and 16 illustrate still other embodiments of my-invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail it will be observed that in Figure 1 I have shown a continuous binding element 20 consisting of ring shaped members 22 transversely disposed to the axis of the binding element, and each ring connected to the adjacent rings 22 by longitudinally disposed connecting members 24. The members 24 are shown as fastened by any suitable fastening means, such as staples 32, to a securing member 26 of any suitable form, and which may be a cover used for the stack of sheets which is indicated by dotted lines at 28, and is provided with perforations 30 through which the members 22 pass. It will be observed that if the members 24 were left free they might be twisted out of their normal position of longitudinal alignment into some such position as is indicated by the dotted line A. However, by fastening them to a relatively rigid member 26, such twisting is prevented, and the members 24 are kept in longitudinal alignment under all ordinary conditions of use. It will further be observed that by this construction the objects heretofore mentioned, namely the prevention of lateral movement of the sheets of the stack and the prevention of twistin of the stack. are attained.

In Figure 2 is shown a modified construction in which a' continuous binding element 40 is similar in type to the element 2|] of Figure 1, and has transversely disposed ring-like members 42 passing through perforations of the stack 48, and longitudinally disposed members 44 connectingthe rings 42. The member 46 is doubled over so as to enclose the members 44 between its doubled-over portions, and the doubled-over portions are fastened together by any suitable fastening means, such as cement, or the staples 52. Perforations 41 are provided in the doubled-over portions of the member 46, and the rings 42 pass therethrough.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and '7 are intended to illustrate various stages in one manner of. assembling the construction of Figures 2 and 3. I have found it very convenient to start by laying the stack 48 on the member 46 before the end portion of the latter is doubled over, and while it isin flattened form, and with its inner row of perforations aligning with the stack, and then to threadthe spiral element 42 through the perforations both of the stack and of the member 46. By referring to Figure 4 it will be observed that Ithespiral element 42a passes through both sets of perforations 41 of the member 46. It will be understood that the two rows of perforations 41 must be dimensioned and positioned in such a way, that they will permit passage of the'spiral element 42a during the threading operation and yet will be adapted for the passage ofrings 4.2 when the member 46 is doubled over.

The next stage is shown in Figure 6, and comprises positioning the-member 46 issome manner such as shown in Figure 6, and distorting the spiral element42a so as to' form the ring members 42 and the longitudinal members 4.4. It will be observed that the deformation of the spiral takes place in such a way that the:longitudinal members 44 and the stack 48 are located on opposite sides of the members 46.

Thereafter the member 46 maybe doubled over at such a point that the two rows of perforations are superposed, the respective perforations being in sufficiently registered valigmnentas -.to permit passage therethrough of the rings 42. This stage is indicated in Figure '7.

The final stage isthat showninbFigureZ; as there shown the'staples'52 havebeen applied so as to fasten the bent over portions of member 46 in place. Obviously any suitable way of fastening, such as cementing, maybe used with equal effect.

In the modification of Figure-8, the stack 66 has a binder 60 of the same' typesasthe binder 20 of Figure 1,with the ring 62 thereof passing through the perforations 10 of the stack. This binder comprises also longitudinally .disposed connecting members 64 uniting adjacent rings 62. The member 66 corresponds to the member 46 of Figure 2 and comprises doubled :over portions shown as united by. staples 12' so asto prevent their spreadingafterthey are placed so as to enclose the longitudinal members 64. The member 66 may be applied to the stack in the same manner as themember .46 of Figures 2 and 3, as has just been described in connection with Figures to '7. It will be'observed thatthe member- 66 is shown as symmetrical inconstruction with laterally extending wings of equal length. I have found this form very convenient for purposes of attaching the stack to a cover. For instance, where the member :66 is-made rigid the wings thereof may be slidinto a channel carried by the cover, or thewings may be fastened tothe cover by any other similar method, either by rivin relation to the cover, which upstanding construction is found to be very useful.

Of all the possible variations of this construction I may mention one in which one of the Wings 66 is omitted and with it the doubled over portion. Members 64 might be fastened with staples as in Figure 1. Instead of a fiat member, as 26 in Figure 1, however, the binder passes through perforations in a portion upstanding from the back.

In Figure 9 the stack 68 is held together by the binding element 60, which is of the type of element 20 of Figure 1, and comprises ring like members 82 and longitudinal members 84. The aligning member 86 for the longitudinal members 84 comprises two separate pieces, 94 and 96, pro-- vided respectively with perforations 98 and I00 and joined by suitable means such as staples I02, shown as disposed in two rows on opposite sides of the member 84, although it will be obvious that they may be disposed in many other ways. To assemble the construction of Figure 9 it is only necessary to place the members 94 and 96 on the stack 88, with their perforations in alignment with the perforations of the stack, and to thread a spiral binding element therethrough, which is then deformed as has been explained in connection with Figures 2 to '7 so as to comprise ring portions 82 passing through the perforations 88 and I00 and through the perforations of the stack, and longitudinal bars 84, the latter being positioned between the members 94 and 96.

In Figure I have shown a construction in which the binder I I 0, comprising as before, ringlike portions H2 and longitudinal bars I04, is threaded through a stack I08, and the bars I04 are longitudinally aligned by a relatively rigid member I 06 comprising two portions I I4 and I I6, suitably united, as by staples I22. Instead of perforations as in the forms heretofore described the parts H4 and H6 are provided with open slots I that register with each other and with the perforations of the stack. In assembling this construction the following procedure may be used. First the member III] is threaded into the stack while in helical. form. It is then deformed so as to form the longitudinal bars I04. The member I06 is then applied by passing its slots I20 over the rings I I2 and placing the staples I24 across the slots so as to prevent withdrawal of the rings. Staples I22 are shown as uniting the two parts of member I06, and these may be applied before or after assembly of member I06 with the stack. It will be understood that many other arrangements for fastening might be used, those shown being by way of illustration merely.

In Figure 11 I have indicated an aligning member I40 provided with slots I42 of the bayonet type. These slots comprise inwardly extending portions I44, and portions I46 extending at right angles thereto, and are adapted for the reception of the ring members I52 of a binding element I50 of the type heretofore disclosed in Figure 1, and which is indicated in dotted lines for the sake of clearness. The longitudinal members I54 of ele ment I50 overlie the aligning member I40, and are fastened thereto by some suitable means, such as staples I48, which confine the rings I52 to the inner portions of the slots I42, as clearly appears from the drawings.

In Figures 12 and 13 the member I66, similar to the member I40 of Figure 11, comprises portions I64 and I68 provided with bayonet slots I62 similar to those described in Figure 11, and the two members are intended for superposition. The

ring members I'I2 of a binding element In may be inserted into the slots of the two members I64, and I68 and they are then superposed so that the longitudinal bars I14 connecting the rings I12 of the bindingelement I18, are positioned between the members I64 and I68. On sliding I64 and I68 relatively to each other the inwardly extending portions of the respective slots I62 thereof are disposed in aligned relation, and the ring members I12 are held in the inner portions of the slots, as shown in Figure 13. On applying suitable fastening means, such as staples I16, to unite I64 and I68, such locking becomes permanent. It is obvious that instead of both members I64 and I66 being provided with bayonet slots only one member may have the bayonet slots and the other member may be provided with slots of any other desired type. Also, that instead of bayonet slots being used, the slots may have a great variety of conformations.

In Figure 14 I have shown diagrammatically, a binding element I60 provided, as before, with ring portions I82, and longitudinal bars I84, and the alignment of bars I84 is indicated as being effected by a bar I86, shown in dotted lines for purposes of clarity, and intended to be permanently fastened to the bars I84, such as by spotwelding. It will be understood of course that if the binding element is initially of spiral form, the stack is positioned on the binding element before the formation of bars I84, and before the welding.

Figure 15 shows a member 288 provided with slots I98 anddoubled over the longitudinal bars IM of a binding element I88 so as to clamp them and hold them in alignment. The binding element I98, similar to element 28 of Figure 1, comprises the ring members I92 united by the bars I St heretofore mentioned.

A modification of the idea of Figure 15 is shown in Figure 16, in which the aligning element 2I8 comprises portions 284 and 286 united by fastening means, such as screws 288. The binding element is denoted by 228 and comprises rings 222 and the longitudinal connecting bars 224. The member 286 may be provided with a channel adapted to receive the bars 224, and to clamp them in aligned position.

While I have described the longitudinal bars of the binding elements as longitudinally aligned, it is to be understood that such alignment is not necessary for the purposes of my invention, but, is merely a convenient and obvious embodiment thereof. For instance, the longitudinal bars might be held fixed in a position in which they are laterally, or circumferentially spaced from each other, but they must be prevented from lateral displacement from such position.

It will be understood that the embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are by way of illustration only, and that my invention may be embodied in many other forms, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I now claim as new and seek tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In the method of binding together a stack of sheet material, the sheets of which are provided with registering perforations, the steps of superposing a relatively rigid member provided with two parallel rows of perforations on the stack, with the perforations of one of said rows aligning with those of the stack, threading a continuous spiral element through the two rows of perforations of therelatively rigid member and the perforations of the stack, deforming said spiral element so that it is constituted by transversely disposed ring-like members joined by longitudinally disposed elements, and so that said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said elements, doubling over said rigid member so as to bring portions of the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into registration and so as to include therewithin said longitudinal elements, and securing together said doubled over portions so as to lock said elements permanently therewithin.

2. In the method of binding together a stack of sheet material, the sheets of which are provided with registering perforations, the steps of superposing a relatively rigid member provided with two parallel rows of perforations on the stack, with the perforations of one of said rows aligning with those of the stack, threading a continuous spiral element through the two rows of perforations of the relatively rigid member and the perforations of the stack, deforming said spiral element so that it is constituted by transversely disposed ring-like members joined by 10ngitudinally disposed elements, and so that said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said elements, doubling over said rigid member so as to bring portions of the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into registration and so as to include therewithin said longitudinal elements.

3. In combination, a stack of perforated sheets united by a continuous binding element comprising transversely disposed loops each connected to the adjacent loops by longitudinally extending elements, and means for preventing displacement of said elements from their position of longitudinal alignment said means comprising a relatively rigid member having an extension thereof angularly disposed in relation thereto and adapted for associating said member with extraneous devices, and fastening means uniting said elements and said relatively rigid member so as to prevent separation thereof.

4. In combination with a stock of sheets having perforations therein, a continuous elongated binding element comprising transversely disposed annular members serially connected by longitudinally disposed elements, and means to hold said elements in longitudinal alignment, said means comprising a relatively rigid member having perforations therein aligning with the perforations of the stack, said annular members passing through: said perforations, said rigid member engaging said elements on opposed sides thereof, and fastening means for holding said elements in fixed relation to said rigid member.

5. In combination with a stack of sheets, a continuous elongated binding element comprising transversely disposed annular members serially connected by longitudinally disposed elements, and means to hold said elements in longitudinal alignment, said means comprising a pair of substantially rigid members connected together so as to include said elements therebetween.

6. In combination with a stack of sheets having perforations along one edge thereof, a continuous elongated binding element comprising transversely disposed ring-like members passing through said perforations and serially connected by longitudinally disposed elements, and means to hold said elements against lateral displacement, said means comprising a relatively rigid member having one portion thereof doubled over another portion, and secured together so as to include said elements therebetween.

7. A book consisting of a plurality of leaves; a continuous wire binding for said leaves consisting of a plurality of substantially parallel loops each terminating in a straight portion which is in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the said loops; a'backer carried by said binding and consisting of a strip having a plurality of loop receiving slots formed therein the said slots also serving to define and form tongues on said backer which contact with the said straight portions; and means for closing the said slots.

8. A book consisting of a plurality of leaves; a continuous wire binding for said leaves consisting of a plurality of substantially parallel loops each terminating in a straight portion which is in a plane substantially at right angles to the'planes of the said loops; a backer carried by said binding and consisting of a strip adapted to contact with said straight portions and having a plurality of loop-receiving slots formed therein; and means for closing the said slots.

9. A book consisting of a plurality of leaves, a continuous wire binding for said leaves consisting of a plurality of substantially pariallel loops united by portions disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the planes of the said loops; a backer carried by said binding and consisting of a strip having a plurality of loopreceiving slots formed therein, the said slots also serving to define and form tongues on said backer which contact with the said straight portions; and means for closing the said slots.

10. A book consisting of a plurality of leaves, a continuous wire binding for said leaves consisting of a plurality of substantially parallel loops united by portions disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the planes of the said loops; a backer carried by said binding and consisting of a strip having a plurality of loopreceiving slots formed therein, adapted to contact with said aforementioned portions of the binding; and means for closing the said slots.

11. A book consisting of a'plurality of leaves, a continuous wire binding for said'leaves consisting of a plurality of substantially parallel loops united by portions disposed in a plane substantially at right angles to the planes of the said loops; a backer carried by said binding and consisting of a strip adapted to. contact with said straight portions and having a plurality of loopreceiving slots formed in the edge portions of the J backer; and means for closing the said slots' said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said elements, doubling over said rigid member so as to bring the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into registration and so as to include therewithin said longitudinal elements, and securing together said doubled over portion so as to lock said elements permanently therewithin.

13. In the method of binding together a stack of sheet material, the sheets of which are provided with registering perforations, the steps of superposing a relatively rigid member provided with two parallel rows of perforations on the stack, with the perforations of one of said rows aligning with those of the stack, threading a cntinuous spiral element through the two rows of perforations of the relatively rigid member and the perforations of the stack, deforming said spiral element so that it is constituted by transversely disposed ring-like members joined by longitudinally disposed elements, and so that said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said elements, doubling over said rigid member so as to bring the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into registration and so as to include therewithin said longitudinal elements.

14. In the method of binding together a stack of sheet material, the sheets of which are provided with registering perforations, the steps of superposing a relatively rigid member provided with two parallel rows of perforations on the stack, with the perforations of one of said rows aligning with those of the stack, threading a continuous spiral element through the two rows of perforations of the relatively rigid member and the perforations of the stack, deforming said spiral element so that it is constituted by transversely disposed ring-like members joined by longitudinally disposed elements, and so that said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said elements, doubling over said rigid member so as to bring portions of the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into overlapping relation and so as to include therewithin said doubled over portions so as to lock said elements permanently therewithin.

15. In the method of binding together a stack of sheet material, the sheets of which are provided'with registering perforations, the steps of superposing a relatively rigid member provided with two parallel rows of perforations on the stack, with the perforations of one of said rows aligning with those of the stack, threading a continuous spiral element through the two rows of perforations of the relatively rigid member and the perforations of the stack, deforming said spiral element so that it is constituted by transversely disposed ring-like members joined by longitudinally disposed elements, and so. that said rigid member is disposed between the stack and said'elements, doubling over said rigid mem ber so as to bring portions of the perforations of the said two rows of perforations thereof into overlapping relation and so as to include therewithin said longitudinal elements.

WALTER GRUMBACHER. 

